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Syllabus Development Guide: AP Biology

To the AP teacher: Please take full advantage of this guide. It is designed to support you as you develop your syllabus for the AP Course Audit. The guide contains the following sections and information:
Curricular Requirements The curricular requirements are Important Considerations

the core elements of the course. Your syllabus must provide clear evidence that each requirement is fully addressed in your course.
Scoring Components

Aligned with the Evaluation Guidelines, these statements provide advice on the type of evidence your syllabus should include.

Some curricular requirements consist of complex, multi-part statements. These particular requirements are broken down into their component parts and restated as scoring components. Reviewers will look for evidence that each scoring component is included in your course. To ensure the clarity of certain terms or expressions that may have multiple meanings, each of these terms is clearly defined. These are the exact guidelines used by reviewers as they evaluate the evidence in your syllabus. Use these to interpret any requirement you may find ambiguous.

Reference

As appropriate, references to specific sections of the official AP Course Description or other pertinent publications are included here.

Key Terms

Samples of Evidence

Evaluation Guidelines

For each scoring component, three separate samples of evidence are provided. These statements provide either verbatim samples from actual authorized syllabi or clear descriptions of what acceptable evidence should look like.

Scoring Components, Key Terms, Evaluation Guidelines, Important Considerations, References and Samples of Evidence Scoring Component 1*: The course emphasizes the biological and chemical concepts of molecules. *Note Each Curricular Requirement may be subdivided into two or more distinct Scoring Components. Key Term(s) Evaluation Guideline(s) Important Consideration(s) Reference All terminology in the Scoring Mentioning a practice or topic Evidence can be For more Component is clear. No delineated in the scoring component is demonstrated through a list information see clarification is needed. sufficient evidence when the resource specific chapter(s) in page 6 of the materials collectively address the textbook(s) on molecules. AP Biology content. Specific chapters or sections Course need not be associated with the Description. practice or topic. Evidence can be demonstrated through 25% If the syllabus sufficiently cites (author, of the course focusing on Curricular Requirement: The course emphasizes title, and edition) textbooks or molecules and cells. the biological concepts as materials included in the College specified in the three Boards example textbook lists, overarching topics listed in evidence is sufficient.
Curricular Requirements the Topic Outline in the Course Description: Molecules and Cells; Heredity and Evolution; Organisms and Populations.

If there is no textbook mentioned, evidence is not sufficient.

Sample 1 The syllabus follows the AP Course Outline and includes Chemistry of Life as a subtopic.

Samples of Evidence Sample 2 Sample 3 The syllabus cites a textbook that In the course outline, the syllabus includes begins with chapters on chemistry and carbon and the molecular diversity of life. biochemistry

Scoring Component 2: The course emphasizes the biological concept of cells. Key Term(s) Evaluation Guideline(s) Important Consideration(s) All terminology in the Scoring Mentioning a practice or topic The syllabus should include Component is clear. No delineated in the scoring component is cellular energetics as a clarification is needed. sufficient evidence when the resource subtopic to evidence materials collectively address the emphasis of biological content. Specific chapters or sections concept of cells. need not be associated with the practice or topic. The syllabus should include structure and function as a If the syllabus sufficiently cites (author, subtopic to evidence Curricular Requirement: title, and edition) textbooks or emphasis of biological The course emphasizes materials included in the College concept of cells. the biological concepts as Boards example textbook lists, specified in the three evidence is sufficient.
overarching topics listed in the Topic Outline in the Course Description: Molecules and Cells; Heredity and Evolution; Organisms and Populations.

Reference For more information see page 6 of the AP Biology Course Description.

If there is no textbook mentioned, evidence is not sufficient Sample 1 The syllabus includes a comparison of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structures. Samples of Evidence Sample 2 Cellular respiration is discussed throughout the course. Sample 3 The syllabus includes photosynthesis as an ongoing discussion throughout the course.

Scoring Component 3: The course emphasizes the biological concepts of heredity and evolution. Key Term(s) Evaluation Guideline(s) Important Consideration(s) Reference All terminology in the Scoring Mentioning a practice or topic Scoring Component is clear For more Component is clear. No delineated in the scoring component is and explicit. No Important information see clarification is needed. sufficient evidence when the resource Considerations are needed. page 6 of the materials collectively address the AP Biology content. Specific chapters or sections Course need not be associated with the Description. practice or topic.
Curricular Requirement: The course emphasizes the biological concepts as specified in the three overarching topics listed in the Topic Outline in the Course Description: Molecules and Cells; Heredity and Evolution; Organisms and Populations.

If the syllabus sufficiently cites (author, title, and edition) textbooks or materials included in the College Boards example textbook lists, evidence is sufficient. If there is no textbook mentioned, evidence is not sufficient. Samples of Evidence Sample 1 Sample 2 The syllabus references a specific In the heredity and evolution unit, the text book, for example, Chapters syllabus includes a subtopic of XXX in Campbell and Reece, mechanisms of evolution. Biology: 7th Edition.

Sample 3 Heredity and evolution are topics integrated throughout the course.

Scoring Component 4: The course emphasizes the biological concept of organisms. Key Term(s) Evaluation Guideline(s) Important Consideration(s) If structure and function of plants and Scoring Component is clear Organisms: general and explicit. No Important characteristics of members of the animals are not covered, then evidence is not sufficient. Considerations are needed. three domains: Bacteria, Archaebacteria, and Eukarya, If bacteria and viruses are not which include Animals, Plants, included, evidence is not sufficient. Fungi, Protozoa, and Algae. General characteristics of viruses If a survey of the diversity of life is not are also included. mentioned, evidence is not sufficient.
Curricular Requirement: The course emphasizes the biological concepts as specified in the three overarching topics listed in the Topic Outline in the Course Description: Molecules and Cells; Heredity and Evolution; Organisms and Populations.

Reference For more information see page 6 of the AP Biology Course Description.

If there is no mention of a textbook, the scoring component is not met.

Sample 1 The syllabus includes citing a textbook unit on biological diversity.

Samples of Evidence Sample 2 The syllabus threads the topic of biological diversity throughout the course.

Sample 3 The syllabus emphasizes the topic of biological diversity through citing a textbook.

Scoring Component 5: The course emphasizes the biological concept of populations. Key Term(s) Evaluation Guideline(s) Important Consideration(s) All terminology in the Scoring Mentioning a practice or topic Scoring Component is clear Component is clear. No delineated in the scoring component is and explicit. No Important clarification is needed. sufficient evidence when the resource Considerations are needed. materials collectively address the content. Specific chapters or sections need not be associated with the practice or topic.
Curricular Requirement: The course emphasizes the biological concepts as specified in the three overarching topics listed in the Topic Outline in the Course Description: Molecules and Cells; Heredity and Evolution; Organisms and Populations.

Reference For more information see page 6 of the AP Biology Course Description.

If the syllabus sufficiently cites (author, title, and edition) textbooks or materials included in the College Boards example textbook lists, evidence is sufficient. If there is no textbook mentioned, evidence is not sufficient.

Samples of Evidence Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 Population Dynamics is a Population Ecology is a subtopic of the Population Genetics is a subtopic of subtopic in the Organisms and Ecology unit. Genetics and Evolution unit. Populations section of the course.

Scoring Component 6: The course provides students with an opportunity to develop a conceptual framework for modern biology emphasizing an understanding of science as a process rather than an accumulation of facts. Key Term(s) Evaluation Guideline(s) Important Consideration(s) Reference Curricular Requirement: Evidence is sufficient if a For more Science as a process: a way of When topical instruction provided in The course provides students with an information see knowing and studying the natural the syllabus indicates that students are minimum of 12 hands-on opportunity to develop a labs (component 11) is page 7 of the world. It can involve a discovery provided with this opportunity, then conceptual framework for process using inductive evidence is sufficient. For example: carried out. AP Biology modern biology Course reasoning, or it can be a process emphasizing: Labs that require students to collect Discussion of published Description. of hypothesis testing. an understanding of data and reach conclusions will meet scientific research science as a process this scoring component, either as labs constitutes sufficient rather than an recommended in the AP Course evidence. accumulation of facts; Description or those with evidence that recognition of evolution as they meet the learning objectives of the foundation of modern biological models and these labs.
thought; the integration of the general topics of biology through the eight major themes as specified in the Course Description; and applications of biological knowledge and Sample 1 critical thinking to The syllabus demonstrates environmental and social through the course outline that all concerns.

Promotion of discussion in class meets this scoring component.

12 AP labs are conducted throughout the course.

Samples of Evidence Sample 2 In the laboratory section, the syllabus includes student designed and conducted experiments.

Sample 3 In the introduction to the course, the syllabus includes a discussion of how discoveries were made and used towards teaching topics throughout the course (may be described in introduction to syllabus).

Scoring Component 7: The course emphasizes recognition of evolution as the foundation of modern Biology. Key Term(s) All terminology in the Scoring Component is clear. No clarification is needed. Evaluation Guideline(s) Important Consideration(s) The course must provide students with Scoring Component is clear an opportunity to develop a conceptual and explicit. No Important framework for modern Biology Considerations are needed. emphasizing recognition of evolution as the foundation of modern Biology. Evolution must be taught in more than one unit (i.e. across topics, heredity and evolution, organisms and population, etc). Reference For more information see pages 7 of the AP Biology Course Description.

Curricular Requirement: The course provides students with an opportunity to develop a conceptual framework for modern biology emphasizing: an understanding of science as a process rather than an accumulation of facts; recognition of evolution as the foundation of modern biological models and thought; the integration of the general topics of biology through the eight major themes as specified in the Course Description; Sample 1 and applications of The syllabus cites a textbook and biological knowledge and chapter focusing on evolution. critical thinking to environmental and social concerns.

Samples of Evidence Sample 2 In the course outline, the syllabus includes the topic of evolution and also includes evolution as a subtopic in the comparative anatomy unit.

Sample 3 In the course outline, the syllabus includes the topic of evolution and also includes evolution as a subtopic in the taxonomy/classification unit on plants and animals.

Scoring Component 8: The course provides students with an opportunity to develop a conceptual framework for modern biology emphasizing the integration of the general topics of biology through the eight major themes as specified in the Course Description.
Curricular Requirement: The course provides students with an opportunity to develop a conceptual framework for modern biology emphasizing: an understanding of science as a process rather than an accumulation of facts; recognition of evolution as the foundation of modern biological models and thought; the integration of the general topics of biology through the eight major themes as specified in the Course Description; and applications of biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns.

Key Term(s) Evaluation Guideline(s) Listing the 8 major themes along with a Eight major themes: includes science as a process, evolution, complete syllabus is sufficient evidence. energy transfer, continuity and change, relationship of structure to function, regulation, interdependence in nature, and science, technology, and society.

Important Consideration(s) Evidence can be demonstrated through indication of which themes apply to various units taught.

Reference For more information see pages 7 of the AP Biology Course Description.

Sample 1 All eight major themes are listed in the introduction to the syllabus with descriptions of how each is integrated in the course.

Samples of Evidence Sample 2 All topics listed on the syllabus are keyed to one or more of the eight themes.

Sample 3 The eight major themes are mentioned repeatedly throughout the syllabus as they occur.

Scoring Component 9: The course provides students with an opportunity to develop a conceptual framework for modern Biology, emphasizing applications of biological knowledge to environmental concerns. Key Term(s) All terminology in the Scoring Component is clear. No clarification is needed. Evaluation Guideline(s) Important Consideration(s) If environmental concerns are listed as The syllabus should a topic, then evidence is sufficient. reference specific chapter(s) in textbook(s) related to environmental issues. Reference For more information see pages 5 of the AP Biology Course Description.

Curricular Requirement: The course provides students with an opportunity to develop a conceptual framework for modern biology emphasizing: an understanding of science as a process rather than an accumulation of facts; recognition of evolution as the foundation of modern biological models and thought; the integration of the general topics of biology through the eight major themes as specified in the Samples of Evidence Course Description; Sample 1 Sample 2 and applications of The syllabus cites a chapter from As an activity in the environmental biological knowledge and a textbook, for example concerns unit, the syllabus includes, critical thinking to environmental and social conservation biology. The instructor and students participate concerns. in an ecology project outdoors.

Sample 3 As a classroom activity in the environmental concerns unit, students watch and discuss a film such as An Inconvenient Truth as part of the course.

Scoring Component 10: The course provides students with the opportunity to connect their biological knowledge to major issues of social concern to help them become scientifically literate citizens.
Curricular Requirement: The course provides students with an opportunity to develop a conceptual framework for modern biology emphasizing: an understanding of science as a process rather than an accumulation of facts; recognition of evolution as the foundation of modern biological models and thought; the integration of the general topics of biology through the eight major themes as specified in the Course Description; and applications of biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns.

Key Term(s) All terminology in the Scoring Component is clear. No clarification is needed.

Evaluation Guideline(s) Important Consideration(s) If social concerns are listed as a topic, Evidence can be then evidence is sufficient. demonstrated through a specific reference to one social issue.

Reference For more information see pages 5 of the AP Biology Course Description.

Sample 1 The syllabus includes stem cell research as a topic regarding a major issue of social concern.

Samples of Evidence Sample 2 The syllabus includes cancer as an issue of social concern.

Sample 3 The syllabus includes global warming as a topic regarding a major issue of social concern

Scoring Component 11: The course includes a hands-on laboratory component that fulfills all of the objectives recommended in the AP Biology labs as listed in the Course Description. Key Term(s) All terminology in the Scoring Component is clear. No clarification is needed. Evaluation Guideline(s) Important Consideration(s)/Reference(s) The title and frequency (# of labs), with For more information see pages 8-17 of the a minimum of 12 labs, must be evident AP Biology Course Description. for the scoring component to be satisfied.

Curricular Requirement: The course includes a laboratory component that fulfills all of the objectives of the recommended AP Biology labs as listed in the Course Description. Students must spend a minimum of 25% of instructional time engaged in hands-on laboratory work.

Samples of Evidence Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3 The pre and post objectives of the The syllabus includes all 12 AP Biology A combination of the AP Biology 12 recommended labs are recommended labs. recommended labs and other hands-on labs conveyed through hands-on labs. are cited on the syllabus.

Scoring Component 12: Students must spend a minimum of 25% of instructional time engaged in hands-on laboratory work. Key Term(s) All terminology in the Scoring Component is clear. No clarification is needed. Evaluation Guideline(s) This requirement must be met either by an explicit statement and/or by an easy calculation of class schedule and class time engaged in laboratory work. Important Consideration(s) Evidence of 25% of instructional time engaged in hands-on laboratory work can be demonstrated through reference of the time students spend engaged in laboratory work during class. . Reference For more information see page 8 of the AP Biology Course Description.

Curricular Requirement: The course includes a laboratory component that fulfills all of the objectives of the recommended AP Biology labs as listed in the Course Description. Students must spend a minimum of 25% of instructional time engaged in hands-on laboratory work.

Sample 1 The syllabus provides a course outline listing the number of weeks spent on each unit and the number of labs conducted during each unit. The number of days engaged in laboratory work divided by the number of days spent in class time equals 25%.

Samples of Evidence Sample 2 Sample 3 The syllabus provides a course outline The syllabus states, Students are engaged with the number of days spent on each in hands-on laboratory work 25% of topic and the number of days engaged instruction time throughout the course. in hands-on laboratory work. The total lab time equals 25% of instructional time.